Baby bottle holder

ABSTRACT

A versatile clamp or support is disclosed for alternate use with a neck strap or a stand which facilitates the proper positioning of a baby bottle during the feeding of a baby. With the clamp or support suspended from the neck strap the bottle can be positioned in a number of feeding attitudes for the baby, cradled in the user&#39;&#39;s lap or in one or both arms. In another embodiment the clamp or support can be used with the stand which rests upon a planar surface, such as the baby&#39;&#39;s bed, providing means whereby the bottle can be moved into a number of still different positions in relation to the baby for proper unattended feeding.

llnite States Patent [191 Marquard 1 Nov. 26, 1974 1 BABY BOTTLE HOLDER[76] Inventor: Harold J. Marquard, 2444 N.

Harding, Chicago, 111. 60647 [22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:306,596

[52] U.S. Cl. 248/102 [51] Int. Cl. A47c 15/00 [58] Field of Search248/102, 103, 104, 105,

248/106, 107; 24/D1G. 8; 224/5 P, 5 R, 12;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.688.765 10/1928 Veras248/103 2.269.609 1/1942 Taylor 248/107 2.494.632 1/1950 Rodin 248/1022.496.527 2/1950 Forrest 1 248/107 2.558.978 7/1951 Pettit 248/1062.676.821 4/1954 Reichelderfer 403/146 2.893.672 7/1959 Vardan 248/102Primary ExaminerWilliam H. Schultz Attorney, Agent, or FirmHarbaugh andThomas 5 7 ABSTRACT A versatile clamp or support is disclosed foralternate use with a neck strap or a stand which facilitates the properpositioning of a baby bottle during the feeding of a baby. With theclamp or support suspended from the neck strap the bottle can bepositioned in a number of feeding attitudes for the baby, cradled in theusers lap or in one or both arms. In another embodiment the clamp orsupport can be used with the stand which rests upon a planar surface,such as the babys bed, providing means whereby the bottle can be movedinto a number of still different positions in relation to the baby forproper unattended feeding.

6 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures BABY BOTTLE HOLDER BACKGROUND The prior artbaby bottle holders are mainly directed to strap-suspended wrap-aroundtype pouches, generally of elastic material wherein the strap can belengthened or shortened and the angular attitude of the bottle dependson the rotational position of the strap upon the back of the wearersneck or the lateral positioning of the ends of the strap, at the bottleholder, to tilt the holder on a transverse axis. The prior art devicesvary from the simple to the complicated and because of their peculiarstructures and insecure adjustments have not met with much sales appeal.Further the prior art does not provide for alternate use of the holderswith a stand when the child is to be fed in his crib.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to provide ababy bottle holder of simple construction, that is easily cleaned andsanitized, involves no elastic or other deteriorating materials andprovides the necessary versatility for use on the person feeding thebaby or as a support for the bottle in the babys crib or the like. Thesupport or clamp for the bottle is pivotally or rotatably mounted on abase member that hangs comfortably from the neck of the user by means ofan easily adjusted strap. The base member is sufficiently resilient orpliable so as to be comfortable to handle and wear. Layers or patches ofmatted soft plastic fibers on the base and on the ends of the strapprovide universal fastening means. The elevation and angular position ofthe bottle are thus under positive control to a number of fixedpositions.

A stand is provided with a snap-on arcuate top member which presents anupper rounded surface of similar matted plastic fibers as the universalfastening means for the base and bottle clamp combination when the strapis not in use. Since the base is pliable it can be arched and placed onthe arcuate top supported by the stand in a number of angular positionsto raise and lower the bottle tip in relation to the plane bottom of thestand, while at the same time the bottle and its clamp or support can berotated on an axis normal to the arched top member to provide furthercooperative adjustability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Illustrative embodiments of the inventionare shown in the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the nursing bottle holder in positionfor nursing on a mothers breast and showing the baby feeding from thebottle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the nursing bottle holder of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, like that of FIG. 3, but showing amodified support or clamp for a baby bottle;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the bottle holder of FIGS. 1, 2 and3 attached to a stand for use in the baby's crib;

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the detachable top of the stand;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 to illustratethe various positions the base can assume against the top of the stand;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the internal frame of the stand and itsassembly with protective soft rubber hose sections; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the stand.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings FIG.1 shows the bottle holder 10 having the pliable base member 12 attachedto the U-shaped clamp 14, which assembly is held across the breast ofthe mother by means of the strap 16. The bottle 18 is received withinthe clamp 14 in proper orientation with the feeding baby.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the strap has the patches 20 of matted plasticfibers at each end and the back side 22 of the base 12 is covered with asimilar mat of plastic fibers 24 to which the respective patches 20adhere in a known manner when these parts are brought together with aslight pressure.

The U-shaped clamp 14 is tubular in form and the ends 26 and 28 areflared or turned in opposite directions to define the wide slot opening30 to receive the bottle 18 therethrough. The clamp 14 can be made oftough plastic or spring-type metal in order to impart the necessaryspring action to open and allow the entry of the bottle.

Opposite the opening 30, the flat projecting boss 32 is provided with acentral bore 34 to receive the rivet 36 which extends through acorresponding bore 38 of the base 12. The base 12 is generallytriangular in shape with rounded corners and the bore 38 may be locatedsubstantially at the geometric center of the base. The rivet 36 has theflanged head 40 on the back side of base 12 and the shank 42 thereofextends through the bottom of the clamp 14 where it is peened, as at 44over the retaining washer 46. If desired the rivet 36 and its washer 46can be reversed from the relationship shown. This forms a rotatablemounting so that the clamp 14 can be rotated 360 about the axis of theshank 42 of the rivet 36, in either direction.

The spring washer 46 encompasses the shank 42 of the rivet 36 in such amanner as to be compressed between the inside bottom of the surface 48of the clamp 14 and the under edge of the peened head 44. These partsare assembled in a relationship such that the clamp 14 is rotatableabout the axis of the shank 42 with sufficient frictional engagement ofthe parts to hold the clamp at any number of positions and therebychange the angle of the bottle 18 for proper flow of the liquid contentsto the nipple end of the bottle. The rivet 36 may be stationary oraffixed to the base 12 so that the frictional engagement of the partsoccurs at the contact surface of the boss 32 with the base 12 with theperiphery spring washer engaging and rubbing against the inside curvedwall of the clamp member 14. Alternately the spring washer 46 may rotatewith the clamp 14 whereupon it engages frictionally with the innerportion of the peened head 44. As another alternative the clamp 14, thewasher 46 and the rivet 36 may be unified so that they rotate togetherin which event the inner surface of the head 40 is pressed against theinside surface 22 of the base member 12 which surface would be devoid ofthe soft plastic fibers mat layer 24.

The inside surface 48 of the clamp 14 is tubular and may be providedwith the soft resilient pad 50, the internal surface of which includesthe generally hexagonal configuration shown, as defined by the radiallyspaced straight sided series of convolutions 52. The

convolutions may match or mismatch with the external convolutions of thebottle.

The pad 50 is preferably constructed of soft material such as foamrubber or foamed plastic. The external surface 54 is sealed to form amoisture barrier for sanitation purposes and prevent saturation of thepad with spilled milk or baby food formulations. The outer edges 56 ofthe pad 50 are tapered to join smoothly with the flared ends 26 and 28so that no protruding edges are presented upon which to catch thebottle. The opening 30 is large enough to receive the bottle laterallythere through as the flared ends spring open and then close around thebottle. The clamp and pad impart sufficient spring action to hold thebottle from rotating on its longitudinal axis and also prevent anyunintentional sliding along that axis once the clamp encompasses thebottle to prevent dislodgment in any attitude during normal use. Thebottle can be removed by pulling it out axially or lifting it outlaterally through the flared ends 26-28. The inner surface 48 of theclamp 14 may carry a series of protuberances 58 thereabout to engage andhold the pad 50. The pad can be held by adhesive if desired.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the clamp 14a is modified to includethe boss 32a having the shorter shank 42a extending through the bore 38of the base 12. The flat rivet head 40a is integral with the shank 42a.The base 12 is sufficiently resilient so that the wider head 40a can bepress-fitted through the bore therein to form the assembly shown. Theclamp 14a has the smooth inner surface 48a adapted to receive and retainthe bottle 18.

Referring to FIG. the wire rod member 62 illustrates a partially formedframe for the stand 64 shown in FIG. 11. This frame, in one method ofassembly is formed with the large loop 66 at one end and the smaller l80bend 68 at the other end with the parallel spaced straight portions 70and 72 in between the rounded ends so that the termini 74 and 76 can bebrought into eventual juxtaposition.

Before this last step either of these terminal ends can be used tothread the hose sections 78 and 80 upon the partially formed frame.Thus, the end 74 can be left in the angular position illustrated in fulllines in FIG. 10 and the hose section 78 placed thereover and pushedover the loop 66 with its leading end near the end 76 so as to providespace to receive the second hose section 80. This latter hose sectionmay be placed over the end 74 until its trailing end coincides with theend 74 of the partially formed frame. Then the end 74 is bent intoalignment with the end 76 and both sections of rubber tubing are broughtinto the positions shown in FIG. 11. These hose sections have a combinedlength that is less than the total length of the partially formed frameso that the equal length sections 82 and 84 can be left uncovered asthey are adjusted to the positions shown in FIG. 11. The manner in whichthe soft rubber hose 78 fits over the wire rod 62 is shown in FIG. 8.

To complete the stand 64, the large loop portion 66 is bent to an angleof less than 90, at the bends 84 and 86 to the straight portions and 72and the latter are bent at 88 and 90 so that the uncovered portions 82and 84 are in a plane parallel to and spaced above the loop 66. Then thestraight portions are bent downward at 92 and 94 into the plane of theloop 66 so that a protruding open tongue 96 is formed. The stand 64 willrest with the large loop 66 and the tongue 96 on a planar surface 100,as shown in FIG. 5, with the base sections 82 and 84 raised above theplanar surface.

The stand 64 is provided with the arcuate generally rectangular shapedplate member 102 (FIG. 5a) having a rough mat of plastic fibers 104 onthe top side and the pairs of opposing spaced curved flanges 106 and 108defining the open sided slot 110 therebetween along one edge and aparallel duplicate set of said flanges along the other edge. In oneembodiment the space between these slots 110 defined by the pairs offlanges is the same as the spacing between the bared portions 82 and 84so that the plate member 102 encompasses thereover and each slot engagesover a respective bared portion in a snap action to hold the plate onthe stand as shown in FIG. 9, with the arcuate fiber fastening area 104on its top side. As an alternative construction the plate member 102 maybe a flat flexible member with the space between the slots 110 beingslightly greater than the space between the bared portions 82 and 84 onthe stand. Upon snapping the slots over the bared portions of the stand,the plate will assume an arched configuration.

The clamp 14 is accordingly adapted to be placed upon the plate 102 withits mat 24 interengaging with the mat 104 at any one of a number ofselected positions, one of which is shown in broken lines in FIG. 6, sothat the elevation of the nipple 112 of the bottle 18 above the planarsurface can be controlled. The tongue 96 protrudes to a side of theassembly so that a portion of a blanket or pillow can be laid over it toincrease the stability of the stand.

The loop 66 of the stand 64 is larger than the loop 96 so that the standhas a proper support on the plane surface 100 and also allows the edgeof blanket or pillow to be laid thereover and increase the stability ofthe device. All of the parts have rounded corners and are free ofprojections that may harm the baby.

The plastic mat 24 is preferably constructed of a soft type of plasticfiber so that it will-be comfortable to handle and will not interferewith the intended use. Instead of a plastic mat 24 the base member 12may be provided with a layer of soft wool fabric of suitable texture tobe engaged by the plastic mat patches 20 on the ends of the strap 16 aswell as the plastic mat 104 in the plate member 102. This latteruniversal engaging surface can be and preferably is formed of stifferplastic hook members capable of attachment to the plastic mat surfaces24 in any orientation. One form of plastic mat surface that is suitablefor purposes of this invention comprises the proprietary product knownunder the trademark VELCRO.

It is also apparent that the base member 12 can be a rigid non-flexiblemember and still be attached to the plate 102 in a number of positionssince these parts do not have to have full contact. The use of aflexible base l2 facilitates attachment and removal, increases thefastening area and allows easy adjustment.

The selection of the other materials of construction of the partsembodying the bottle holder and stand of this invention are a matter ofchoice. Iron or stainless steel wire can be used for the base member 62.The hose members 78 and 80 can be soft rubber or the synthetic rubberproduct known as neoprene. Instead of using separate sections of rubberhose, the wire frame can be dip-coated with any one of a number of softplastic materials. The bared portions 82 and 84 of the stand can beomitted and the entire frame 62 covered with a soft coating. In thisevent the flanges 106 and 108 defining the open-sided slot 110 would beformed so as to encompass the increased diameter of this part of theframe. Any covering of the wire frame 62 can be eliminated if desired.

Alternatively the stand 64 can be formed entirely of a rigid plasticshaped to form a larger planar surface comparable to the loop 66including a protruding tongue member 96 for stability and be hinged orpivoted to the base 12 in coplanar or raised position. The base plate 12can be formed or molded into the arcuate configuration shown in FIGS. 5and 6 without impairing the use of the bottle holder in the manner shownin FIG. 1 although the flexible form of this base is preferred. Suchplastics as PVC-resins, polyester polyols, polyurethanes, vinyl resins,acetals, polyamides can be used and formulated to produce the variousparts in rigid or flexible form by methods known in this art, to formthe parts of the device of this invention.

It is apparent that the embodiment of the clamp means 14 shown in FIG. 3be modified to exclude the side opening 30 defined between the flaredends 26-28 so that the clamp means defines a continuous tubular memberthat surrounds the bottle in its holding position. The bottle would beinserted end-wise only in such a modified clamp. Other forms of clampmeans can be used. Also the embodiment of FIG. 3 can be molded orotherwise formed of one piece instead of having separate outer springarms and an inner layer of soft plastic.

The assembly shown in FIG. 5 can be used in other positions andattitudes than on a planar surface. The larger loop 66 forms aconvenient hook that can be placed over the top edge or a slat of abasket or crib side member so that the lesser loop 96 hangs down intothe crib or basket, in which position the clamp 14 can be rotated in anumber of positions to accommodate feeding. For some purposes it can bean advantage to form the stand 78 of formable or bendable wire rod sothat it can be reshaped for additional uses. A coating of non-slipmaterial such as grit-impregnated plastic can be applied to the innersurface 48a of the clamp 14a shown in FIG. 4.

In summary, the bottle holder of this invention comprises a base memberas the adjustable strap means for suspension around the neck of personwith the base member against the chest and a clamp member pivotallyattached to the base member adapted to receive 6 the baby bottle, withuniversal attaching means at the end of the strap member for attachmentat various locations on the back side of the base member. Also incombination therewith a stand member is provided 6 one arcuate, theplate member 102 and one rotational, the rivet 36.

What is claimed is:

1. A baby bottle holder comprising in combination,

a pliable plate member having a mat of fine plastic fibers on one side,

adjustable strap means for suspending said pliable plate member in avertical plane,

a clamp member carried by said base member on the side opposite said matof plastic fibers,

said clamp member adapted to detachably receive a bottle with thelongitudinal axis of the bottle extending along and spaced from saidvertical plane of the base member,

a stand member comprising,

a planar base portion and an upper horizontally disposed arched member,

said arched member having an arched top surface mat of fine plasticfibers adapted to universally attach to the mat of fine plastic fiberson said plate member whereby said bottle holder is adapted to besuspended about the neck of the user by said strap means and alsoadapted to be supported on said stand member through the respective matsurfaces at selected angles along said arched surface and at selectedpivotal positions about said pivotal means,

said stand member including a rod member formed into a base loop, anarched parallel pair of support arms and an elongated tongue member,

said base loop and said tongue member being essentially in a plane belowsaid support arms, and

said arched plate member includes parallel slot means to engage saidsupport arms in a snap-fit re lationship.

2. A bottle holder comprising:

a plate member a clamp member carried in a side of said plate member andadapted to detachably receive a bottle,

first pivot means frictionally attaching between said clamp member andsaid plate member for rotation on an axis substantially perpendicularthereto,

a stand member defining a planar base portion for support of said bottleholder on a horizontal surface for unattended feeding,

second pivot means frictionally attaching between said stand member andsaid plate member whereby the attitude of said clamp member and itsangular height from said stand member are adjustable and in at least oneposition said planar base portion of said stand member is extendableunder the axis of said clamp member to support said holder at differentheights on a horizontal surface and said clamp member is movable aboutsaid first pivot means into feeding proximity,

said second pivot means being detachable whereby said plate member andclamp member are separable therefrom, and

said plate member including an adjustable strap member for suspendingsame about the neck of the user for attending feeding.

3. A bottle holder in accordance with claim 2 in which,

said second pivot means is detachable whereby said plate member andclamp member are separable therefrom,

said plate member including an adjustable strap member for suspendingsame about the neck of the user for attended feeding.

4. A baby bottle holder in accordance with claim 2 wherein,

said plate member includes a mat of fine plastic fibers on the sideopposite said clamp member, and

said strap member having a patch of fine plastic fibers on each endwhereby either end is capable of universal attachment to said mat ofplastic fibers on mat of line plastic fibers and adapted to universallyattach to and arcuately receive the mat of plastic fibers on said platemember for positioning same at selected angular positions thereon.

6. A baby bottle holder in accordance with claim 5 wherein said standmember includes a pair of spaced substantially coplanar and parallel rodportions said arched member is provided with a pair of spaced slotsdefined by opposing resilient flanges on the side opposite said mat ofplastic fibers,

said slots receiving said rod portions in a releasable snap fitrelationship to hold said arched member thereto,

the spacing between said slots being greater than the spacing betweensaid rod portions whereby said plate member is arched into conformity assaid slots and rod portions interengage.

* l =l= l

1. A baby bottle holder comprising in combination, a pliable platemember having a mat of fine plastic fibers on one side, adjustable strapmeans for suspending said pliable plate member in a vertical plane, aclamp member carried by said base member on the side opposite said matof plastic fibers, said clamp member adapted to detachably receive abottle with the longitudinal axis of the bottle extending along andspaced from said vertical plane of the base member, a stand membercomprising, a planar base portion and an upper horizontally disposedarched member, said arched member having an arched top surface mat offine plastic fibers adapted to universally attach to the mat of fineplastic fibers on said plate member whereby said bottle holder isadapted to be suspended about the neck of the user by said strap meansand also adapted to be supported on said stand member through therespective mat surfaces at selected angles along said arched surface andat selected pivotal positions about said pivotal means, said standmember including a rod member formed into a base loop, an archedparallel pair of support arms and an elongated tongue member, said baseloop and said tongue member being essentially in a plane below saidsupport arms, and said arched plate member includes parallel slot meansto engage said support arms in a snap-fit relationship.
 2. A bottleholder comprising: a plate member a clamp member carried in a side ofsaid plate member and adapted to detachably receive a bottle, firstpivot means frictionally attaching between said clamp member and saidplate member for rotation on an axis substantially perpendicularthereto, a stand member defining a planar base portion for support ofsaid bottle holder on a horizontal surface fOr unattended feeding,second pivot means frictionally attaching between said stand member andsaid plate member whereby the attitude of said clamp member and itsangular height from said stand member are adjustable and in at least oneposition said planar base portion of said stand member is extendableunder the axis of said clamp member to support said holder at differentheights on a horizontal surface and said clamp member is movable aboutsaid first pivot means into feeding proximity, said second pivot meansbeing detachable whereby said plate member and clamp member areseparable therefrom, and said plate member including an adjustable strapmember for suspending same about the neck of the user for attendingfeeding.
 3. A bottle holder in accordance with claim 2 in which, saidsecond pivot means is detachable whereby said plate member and clampmember are separable therefrom, said plate member including anadjustable strap member for suspending same about the neck of the userfor attended feeding.
 4. A baby bottle holder in accordance with claim 2wherein, said plate member includes a mat of fine plastic fibers on theside opposite said clamp member, and said strap member having a patch offine plastic fibers on each end whereby either end is capable ofuniversal attachment to said mat of plastic fibers on said plate member.5. A baby bottle holder in accordance with claim 2 wherein said platemember is pliable and includes a mat of fine plastic fibers on the sideopposite said clamp member, said stand member includes a horizontallydisposed arched member disposed above and substantially central thereof,said arched member includes a top arched surface mat of fine plasticfibers and adapted to universally attach to and arcuately receive themat of plastic fibers on said plate member for positioning same atselected angular positions thereon.
 6. A baby bottle holder inaccordance with claim 5 wherein said stand member includes a pair ofspaced substantially coplanar and parallel rod portions said archedmember is provided with a pair of spaced slots defined by opposingresilient flanges on the side opposite said mat of plastic fibers, saidslots receiving said rod portions in a releasable snap-fit relationshipto hold said arched member thereto, the spacing between said slots beinggreater than the spacing between said rod portions whereby said platemember is arched into conformity as said slots and rod portionsinterengage.